Research Planning and Project Management

Short description of the course:

This module will provide participants with an understanding of project management theory in the context of academic research and will introduce them to a portfolio of relevant tools and techniques. Participants will learn how to plan research projects and studies, focussing on the communication of plans in the context of research funding proposals.The module will cover how to set research plans in the context of the state-of-the-art, how to define research objectives and research questions as well as standard project management aspects including time management, cost management, communications management, IP management and risk management. Module assessment will be via individual assignments where the learner prepares a project plan for a PhD project in their area of expertise and where the learner develops a case study of a completed research project (preferably within their research area), together with a group assignment to develop a short proposal for a collaborative research project.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:

• Originate, plan and develop proposals for funding of research projects within a complex context (for example involving various stakeholders with different objectives, international collaboration and large project teams)
• Select, apply and continuously evaluate project management techniques for a range of research project types
• Analyse the progress of running research projects to identify impending critical situations and implement appropriate mitigation strategies
• Plan how to effectively engage with funding agencies and external sponsors/stakeholders to report on project progress and effectively communicate issues of concern.